Moko Magic // Carnival Chaos (Moko Magic #1)

From the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes an Afro-Caribbean-inspired story about three cousins who discover they are mokos–protector spirits–during carnival season in Brooklyn

Weirdness and wonders abound in this colorful celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture by the author of the beloved Jumbies series.

Twelve-year-old Misty and her mother have just moved from Trinidad to Brooklyn, New York, in time for the annual carnival celebrations over Labor Day weekend. Misty has plenty to deal with getting used to living with her cousins Aiden and Brooke in her new surroundings. On top of that, her mom is too busy trying to find a job and her aunts and uncles are too preoccupied with carnival preparations to pay any attention to her.

Then really strange things begin to happen. A ball of feathers in the basement turns into a creature that squeaks and rolls around. When Misty and her cousins eat pieces of mango anchar, flames shoot out of their mouths. Most disturbing of all, Misty begins to see visions of the future–scary visions that soon come true.

Misty discovers that she and her cousins come from a long line of mokos, people who have special powers meant to help them protect their community. Misty can see impending danger, Aiden can heal, and Brooke has crazy physical strength. The trio is just learning about their skills when Misty senses something watching her. And then each of the carnival events is disrupted by a different disaster. Some kind of evil force is clearly trying to stop the festivities. But why? And will moko magic be enough to save the day?

Tracey Baptiste(she/her) was born in Trinidad and lived there for fifteen years before moving to Brooklyn, New York. She is theNew York Timesbest-selling author ofMinecraft: The Crash, as well as the creepy Caribbean-inspired series the Jumbies, which includesThe Jumbies,Rise of the Jumbies, andThe Jumbie God’s Revenge. Tracey has also written the contemporary YA novelAngel’s Graceand many nonfiction books, includingAfrican Icons, which was named a Best Book of 2021 by the New York Public Library,Kirkus, andSchool Library Journal. Tracey, a former elementary school teacher, is on the faculty at Lesley University’s Creative Writing MFA program. She lives in New Jersey. Visit her online at TraceyBaptiste.com and Instagram @TraceyBaptisteWrites.

• Publisher:Freedom Fire (September 2, 2025)
• Language:English
• Paperback: 400pages
• ISBN-13:9781368074810
• Reading age:8 – 12 years
• Grade level:4 – 6
• Item Weight:1.3 pounds
• Dimensions:5.8 x 1.6 x 8.55 inches
• BISAC Categories: Kids